Tension has been mounting in Algeria since it became known ten days ago that President de Gaulle would review the situation in this area at a meeting on January 22 with the principal ministers, officials and military commanders concerned. Adding fuel to the agÉtation created by French right wing elements against self-determination, the corps commander of the Algerian zone, General Massu, allegedly gave an interview last week to a German newspaper in which he was reported to have stated that the majority of officers would not unconditionally execute the orders of General de Gaulle if his plans were designed to reduce or eventually eliminate French authority from Algeria as a result of a referendum. General Massu, who was one of the leaders of the 1958 uprising which led to the elevation of General de Gaulle, was recalled to Paris and relieved of his command. A communiqué, issued by the Presidency after the meeting of January 22, announced that the policy defined by the Head of State, adopted by the Government and approved by Parliament would be carried out.

2. This show of strength on the part of President de Gaulle sparked demonstrations on Saturday, January 23, which developed into riots and open insurrection. As the state of siege was proclaimed and army regular troops proceeded to Algiers, barricades were set up in city streets, shooting broke out, some twenty participants were killed and 150 were wounded in the first clashes. A call for a general strike seems to have been heeded in Oran, Bone and other cities. Today, the barricades are still in place and the insurgents are no less numerous, but there has been no firing.

3. Paris newspapers of all tendencies are unanimous in condemning the outbreak, which is generally regarded as having been carefully planned and prepared by the long-established pressure groups of activists and “ultras,” with the support of veterans, students and extreme French nationalist associations under the Comité d’entente des Mouvements Nationaux. The Government Delegate General, Mr. Delouvrier, appealed to the civilian population for the maintenance of order, promised that no political negotiations were contemplated with the FLN and gave assurances that strong measures would be taken to repress terrorism. At the same time, the new Commander in Chief in Algeria, General Challe, called for discipline among officers and men, since the future of France and Algeria required unity among the Armed Forces, “which goes much farther than your own persons or that of your leaders, whatever your attachment to them.” President de Gaulle asked the insurgents in a broadcast to disassociate themselves from a disloyal attempt against France, expressed his confidence in Delouvrier and General Challe and affirmed, “I shall do my duty.” Confirming the resolve of the French Government to quell the uprising, the Prime Minister, M. Debré, paid a quick visit to Algiers last night and today reported to de Gaulle. He also made a radio statement confirming the intention of de Gaulle to settle the Algerian problem by the free choice of the people, in peaceful conditions, and repeated the conviction that the decision would be to remain “with France.”

4. For General de Gaulle it may well be the critical testing point of his policy. It has all along been known that a strong right-wing group in Algeria supported by influential sympathizers in France have been unable to accept the possibility of ultimate independence for Algeria, but so long as the army remained on de Gaulle’s side they had little choice but to accept the General’s policy imposed with the backing of the majority in France which his personal reputation is able to command. Massu’s reported statement that the army might have been mistaken in supporting de Gaulle was the first serious indication of dissension in the military ranks. With characteristic speed and decisiveness de Gaulle has taken action to prevent its spreading. If he is successful he should be able to continue with the application of his announced policy. If things take a serious turn and the army no longer supports the General, his régime could well come to an end. If, in order to prevent this, he were to modify his Algerian policy to meet the concern of the insurrectionists, his authority would be seriously impaired and the likelihood of bringing the Algerian rebels to the conference table would be greatly diminished. However, now that he has taken his stand it would not be in character for the General to compromise on his declared policy. An important element in the present situation is the apparent solidarity of opinion in metropolitan France where the virtual elimination of parliament as a political force is no doubt a factor.

5. If he retains control of the situation, General de Gaulle will, by refusing to yield to the open defiance of the European extremists, have given a decisive proof to the Algerian rebels of his sincerity and determination to follow the course he set last September. There should be no room now for suspicion on the part of the “Algerian Provisional Government” that President de Gaulle was simply trying to trick them into laying down their arms in order to favour the French elements in Algiers. The “National Council of the Algerian Revolution” recently met in Tripoli and reorganized the Provisional Government by excluding extremist members and maintaining the leadership of Ferhat Abbas, who has been credited with favouring a less intransigent line than some of his colleagues in charge of military operations. The stage may, therefore, be set for a cease-fire.

N.A. R[OBERTSON]